HomeMy WebLinkAboutMinutes Electrical Advisory Board - 02/13/2013 Electrical Advisory Board
Thursday, February 28, 2013
Time: 3:00 p.m.
16 Leopard ❖ Corpus Christi, Texas
Development Services
3rd Floor, Fire Department Training Room
MINUTES
I. Call to Order
The meeting was called to order at 3:05 p.m.
11. Approval of Absences: October 25, 2012, Regular Meeting
Jesse Gatewood made a motion to excuse the absences from October 25, 2012,for Kevin
Pitchford and Davis Schurry; the motion was seconded by Kevin Martinez. Motion
carried 6-0
III. Approval of Minutes: October 25, 2012, Regular Meeting
Jesse Gatewood made a motion to approve the minutes for October 25, 2012; and the
motion was seconded by Mr. Merdes. Motion carried 6-0
IV. Introduction of new board members: Robert Aguilar, Alfred J. Tristan and Mary Lou Herrera
The board was introduced to the new board members Robert Aguilar and Alj'red Tristan who
gave a short introduction.
V. Discussion regarding Section R315 of the International Residential Code pertaining to
carbon monoxide alarms.
Gene Delauro explained that the alarms are inspected under the 2009 IRC, talks about
where they should be installed and what type of dwelling that they need to be installed in.
Mr. Mer desfeels that it sounds logical to have the alarms in your house. Mr. Delauro
stated that most people have the battery operated devices, but that the code calls for them
to be hard wired. Mr. Lewis feels that this is an extension off re alarm systems and is
here for the safety of the occupants and should be installed in all sleeping areas. Mary
Lou Herrera entered the meeting at this time.
Mr. Merdes wanted to know how we were going to enforce the hardwiring of the carbon
monoxide alarms since the language wasn't clear. Mr. Lewis explained that we would
enforce it through UL20334 information that the units have listing of labeling for
installation. Mr. Merdes would like to know if it would be clearer "we had a local
amendment making this requirement clearer instead of having to look at UL listings. Mr.
Merdes recommends that we take a local amendmentfurther making this requirement
clearer so that contractors are not using battery operated systems. Mr. Gatewood wanted
to know if this should be on a separate arc fault so that both systems are not lost at the
same time. Mr. Lewis doesn't feel that this is a necessary step, but that if the Board feels
that it should be done we could bring it as a possible local amendment. Mr. Merdes feels
that the language is very vague and needs a local amendment.
VI. Discussion regarding clearance of energized equipment in relation to the gas meter
regulator.
Mr. Delauro says that there are requirements for el ctrical panels in relation to gas
meters. The gas utilities department will be providing clearance guidelinesfor the
energized equipment. Mr. Mer es wanted to know if someone wasn't able to meet the
requirement and wanted to use a regulator would it be allowed. Mr. Delauro doesn't feel
that it would be allowed, but that it would be looked at on a case by case basis. Mr.
Mer es feels that if your breaker were to fail at the same time your gas meter leaked that
their code be an issue of an ARC Mr. Delauro said that the requirements would come for
the Railroad Commission.
VH. Building Official's Report
The building official's report was done prior to item Xper the co-chairs request.
A. Department Updates-
i. Gene Delauro- Assistant Building Official
John Speights introduced Gene Delauro the new Assistant Building Oficial for
the City of Corpus Christi and Mr. Delauro gave a short introduction.
ii. New Staff- Electrical inspector, Frank Briseno
David Lewis told the Board about a new electrical inspector with over 20 years of
experience.
VIII. Public Comments
No one addressed the Board at public comment,
IX Identify items to be placed on next agenda
Possible amendment to 8315 of the International Residential Code.
X. Adjourn
Meeting was adjourned at 3:45 p.m.
Pfesiding Officer